Designed for Connection.

Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE is unlike most rescues in the Milwaukee area. We’re a cage-free, free-roam facility that allows you to interact with our adoptable cats in a natural environment. By providing a safe, loving, and home-like space, we reduce the stress and anxiety typical of traditional shelters. Our approach helps cats' true personalities shine and makes the transition to their forever homes much smoother.

 
 

    • Mission: To be a safe haven for all cats in our care until their forever home is found.

    • Vision: To be a resource to the community, for its cats and the people who love them.

    • Values:

      • Respect for each and every life.

      • Compassion towards all people and animals.

      • Provide a safe haven for all lost, abandoned, abused, neglected, unwanted, unsocial, ill, and injured cats and kittens in our care until their forever home is found.

      • Support a community of people and shelters committed to helping homeless cats.

      • Transparent, honest, and open communication.

      • Constant innovation and improvement of best practices, seeking out new ideas and strategies to save more lives.

      • To be a “learning center” that grows and evolves.

      • Raise awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nation, providing a forum for people to get involved and effect change.

  • Our spacious main room features a wall of carpeted climbing poles, towers, and a giant house with cozy sleeping areas. Visitors can relax in our oversized comfy chair and snuggle with the cats as they enjoy "Cat TV" or watch the world go by through our massive street-side windows.

  • We also have a dedicated space for the kittens that come into our care, helping them acclimate with those “their own size.” This room features a large cat tower, fluffy beds, and a prime window seat for viewing all the live action outside on Ogden Ave.

  • With Open Houses every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the door is always open for you to find — or simply spend time with — a new best friend. Keep scrolling to learn more about our rescue.

 
 

The Almost Home Story: From Cricket to Community

Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE (AHCR) was founded in 2021 by 14 dedicated volunteers with a shared vision: Create a rescue built on compassion, inclusion, and a better process for Milwaukee’s cats. Our mission officially took flight when a cat named Cricket was found trapped in a backyard. Though the rescue wasn’t fully operational yet, the team jumped into action, and Cricket became our very first rescue.

What started as a grassroots fostering network quickly grew. In the fall of 2022, we secured our rescue’s “face” at 925 E. Ogden Avenue. After making some cat-focused renovations to the space, we officially opened our doors in early 2023, offering Milwaukee’s first cage-free and fear-free approach to feline welfare.

  • Interior of Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE's Large, Cage-Free Cat Room
  • Interior of Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE's Large, Cage-Free Cat Room
  • Interior of Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE's Large, Cage-Free Cat Room
  • Interior of Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE's Large, Cage-Free Cat Room

Our Philosophy

 

Home-Like Environment

Our space is designed to emulate a real home, reducing stress and allowing cats to express their natural behaviors.

Fear-Free Focus

We prioritize the emotional well-being of our resident cats and kittens, specializing in alleviating the anxieties and stressors they may feel in a new place.

A Second Chance

We proudly take in cats that other shelters might turn away due to medical or behavioral challenges, ensuring every cat has a path to a forever home.

Real Stories. Real Impact.

  • "There are rare moments when we get to experience caregivers like Almost Home Cat Rescue."

    Almost Home is an open playing field for the kitties with vertical and horizontal challenges and big screen TV's for their evening entertainment. Bowls of great food and water are always available for them. They have special areas for newcomers until they get adjusted to the new family members. If I were a cat, I would not want to leave Almost Home. It has everything I would want: New friends, great care, frequent visitors, and plenty to eat. I visit often and always experience joy and lots of love from both directions.

  • "... after my apartment fire, they reached out to offer help ..."

    Just wanted to give a special thank you to Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE.

    Shortly after my apartment fire, they reached out to offer help and were kind enough to take me to Petco and buy some necessities for my kitties and even went as far to get me a new cat tree.

    If you’re ever looking for a shelter to donate to, this is the one!

  • "Everything they do is high quality."

    Almost Home is a blessing to the Milwaukee community. They take in, medically care for, and socialize street cats, giving them a second chance at life. They know that all cats deserve a chance and can be wonderful companions.

    Everything they do is high quality. You can trust them fully to do the best for the cats of Milwaukee. It’s a desperately needed organization for this area, as we have so many cats on the streets.

  • "... the cats have the best qualify of life ..."

    The staff/volunteers at Almost Home dedicate so much of their time to make sure that the cats have the best quality of life pre-adoption through post-adoption. I fully recommend Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE for anyone interested in becoming a cat parent or for anyone who is looking to add another furball into their family!

  • "... amazingly well run ..."

    This non-profit is amazingly well run and helped me understand how to be a great cat dad. Highly recommend stopping in.

  • "They are totally committed to caring for cats and kittens..."

    Both my wife and I were very impressed with how well-set up and clean the entire shelter was. We chatted with Stephen, a founder of Almost Home, who told us all about the place and the organization. I kept coming back for visits during open house, and realized that Almost Home was the place I wanted to volunteer. I've now seen Almost Home from both sides — visitor and volunteer — and can say that it's a place I always look forward to going to. They are totally committed to caring for cats and kittens and finding them forever homes!

  • "Visiting Almost home feels like a home ..."

    They really care about cats and the community! They go above and beyond to take care of their babies and find them homes. Visiting Almost Home feels like a home, the open environment for the kitties gives them space to get comfy, especially when people come to see their possible new fur babies! It really makes a difference for those kitties. Thank you all your hard work!

  • "... so much love has gone into creating the space ..."

    A great shelter with great, passionate people at the helm. You can tell so much love has gone into creating the space that the cats call home (for a short while), and the volunteers treat the animals as their own.

    I look forward to coming in multiple times a week to volunteer or spend time socializing with the animals, and it’s amazing that it’s open for the public to do the same. Such a wonderful organization!

  • "Very warm and inviting, and everyone is very welcoming!"

    Absolutely love that the kitties get to have a space that resembles a home like environment and they can free roam.

    No small "cages" or cold noisy environment that often stresses them out causing health issues.

    Anyone can come in and spend time with them! So fun! Very warm and inviting and everyone is very welcoming!

    Definitely a must see.

Meet Our Team

  • Nancy D.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS | PRESIDENT

  • Greg S.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS | VICE PRESIDENT

  • Kristin S.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS | MEDICAL OFFICER & FOSTER OFFICER

  • Nicole C.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS | FINANCIAL OFFICER & FOUNDER

  • Todd W.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS | OPERATIONS OFFICER & FOUNDER

  • Jodi W.

    FOUNDER

  • Kelley W.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER & FOUNDER

  • Jennifer C.D.

    FOUNDER

  • Stephen D.

    FOUNDER

  • Chad N.

    FOUNDER

  • Kaitlyn H.

    FOUNDER